"The biggest piece in the trade deal puzzle still remains, and the Chinese are unlikely to be as willing to fold."

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said, "Japan will now pay a 15% tariff versus the reciprocal rate of 24% that they initially had."

After months of fraught negotiations with the United States, Japan clinched a deal just days before punitive tariffs were scheduled to take effect.

The deal imposes 15% tariffs on Japanese cars and other goods, one of the more favorable rates. While the start date and other basic elements are still unknown, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent warned this week that the US would monitor implementation and bump the rate up to 25% if Trump isn’t satisfied.